THE first New Generation Rollingstock train rolled through Ipswich on Friday to start tests at Wulkuraka as a commuter passenger train.

It will undergo extensive testing at the purpose-built Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre to meet operational and safety standards to take passengers later this year.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the first train in south-east Queensland's new flagship fleet arrived in the Port of Brisbane last Monday.

"Over the next three years, 75 six-car train sets will be delivered to the Port of Brisbane and gradually rolled out onto the south-east Queensland passenger rail network," he said.

Technical specialists from NGR train builder Bombardier Transportation connected six cars of the new train so it could be hauled to its new home.

The train had to undergo a series of safety tests which included having its air-hose pressure and brakes tested ready to be hauled by diesel locomotives.

Mr Hinchliffe said the NGR trains operational and passenger comfort features, including the seats, endurance of the door system, and the dynamic performance of the braking and traction systems would be tested.

"One of the most important elements of the trains is the full-load capacity braking system test to meet Australian standards under a range of environmental conditions and speeds," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The first NGR train is expected to enter service on the south-east Queensland passenger rail in the second half of this year."